Civilian input

As man of color, as a father of a young son, as a former law enforcement officer, and as an elected official, I naturally have mixed emotions to hear of one shooting after another involving police officers and unarmed black men. Yet, I know that I will do my very best to prevent such tragic occurrences from reaching epidemic proportions. I filed House Bill 261 that will establish a Municipal Civilian Complaint Review Board, if passed.

I first filed legislation for a civilian review board back in 2011; I identified the need for its creation after the Chad Holley incident where Holley, a 15-yearold black burglary suspect, was severely beaten by several Houston Police Department officers during his arrest.

This five-person civilian board will have the power to investigate, review and decide on certain allegations of police officer misconduct.

House Bill 261 is a link in a chain of bills that I will be pushing to address the tension between police and citizens. Without any intervention, this wave of officer-involved shootings where the police are cleared behind closed doors will likely spiral out of control.

So, I have been and remain committed to my duty to preserve, protect and defend all Texans from all injustices. Borris L. Miles, state House member,

representing District 146